Automatic bell-sounding mechanism



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E. W. .VANDUZEN AUTOMATIG BELL SOUNDING MBGHANISM.

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. E. W. VAND'UZEN. AUTOMATIC BELL SOUNDING MECHANISM.v

No. 461,458. Patented Oct. 20, 1891.

' UNITED STATES PATENTv OFFICE.

FZRA IV.`VANDUZVEN, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY'.

AUTOMATIC BELL-SOUNDING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 461,458, dated October 20, 1891.-

Application iled June 9, 1890. Serial No. 354,705. (No model.) v I citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Newport, in the county of Campbell and Slate of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Automatically Ringing Bells and Gongs, of which the following is a specification.

The several features of my invention and the various advantages arising from their use, conjointly or otherwise, will be apparent from the following` description and claims.

My device is useful for ringing different descriptions of bells and gongs. In the present illustrative instance my invention is shown applied to a fire or alarm. bell.

In the accompanying drawings, making a pai-tof this specification, and to which reference is hereby made, Figure l isa view in perspective of a bell, its supports, and of the mechanism for automatically ringing the bell, the devices for winding up the mechanism for thus automatically ringing the bell, and of the devices for allowing the mechanism for ringing the bell to be set in motion and for stopping the motion of the same. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of -the reciprocating bar and springs and devices for setting the springs, also of the side of thecrank-wheel and its adjacent hanger, also all of the supports on the farther side of the bell and of the beam whereby the said bell-supports are upheld. This figure also shows through the Wheel the end of the windlass upon which is wound the rope or cord whereby the weight is suspended. In this View the bell itself and its immediate connections with the supports are shown in vertical central section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the aforementioned windlass, its adjacent supporting hanger or bracket, brakeshoe, its pivotal supporting-arm, its weight, and the adjacent end portion of the cord whereby it is elevated. In this gure is also shown a side elevation of the pulley over which runs said cord. Fig. 4 is an end View 0f the said crank-wheel, brake-shoe, its pivotal support, the windlass upon which the cord-supportand operating-weight are wound, the shaft whereby the Windlass and crank- :wheel are Iixed, and hangers whereby the said shaft is supported. In this-ligure that end of the lever which is at the right hand of the said brake-shoe, lever, and bell and.

bell-support being omitted. Fig. 5 is a view of a modification of the connection between the clapper-shank of the bell and the reciprocating rod for operating said clapper. This view shows at the right an elevation of the side of the upper portion or extension of the clapper-shank, washers, and part of the reciprocating rod and of the springs thereon. At the left-hand side of the figure is seen another elevation of the said clapper-shank. In this view the shank is turned around onequarter of a turn and shows that edge of the clapper-shank which faces toward the right in the first-named or right-hand figure. Both opposite edges ot' the clapper are alike.

A indicates the bell. The bell is swung upon a pivotal connection by suitable hangers or brackets in turn suitably upheld. In the present instance these hangers C C are supported by an overhead supportD. In the Lipper part of the hell is a slot or opening, and in this slot moves the extended portion of the clapper-shank, and the clapper-shank is free to oscillate on apivotal connection. The preferred mechanism for connecting the bell pivotally to the hanger is that indicated in Figs. l and 2 and is the saine as vthat specifically described and shown in Letters Patentof the United States numbered 229,570, dated July 6, 1880. The clapper is pivotally hung on a pivot G', located atv or near the top of the bell. The bell is free to oscillate on its connection or connections, while the clapper is free to oscillate on its pivot independently of the movements of the bell itself.

This end View (shown At the upper end of the dapper-shank or extension H2 thereof is a sleeve I. This sleeve I is provided with a couple of ears or eyes I I. Between these eyes is located the upper perforated end of the clapper-shank extension H2, and the latter is pivotally secured to the said eyes by means of thel pivot I2.

IOC

rod is free to slide through the said sleeve I.

ff Around the rod J, to the right' of the sleeve l, (see Fig. 2,) is a coiled spring K. On this rod J and at the right of this said coiled spring K is a sleeve L, provided with a setscrew L. This sleeve can thereby be moved along the rod J and set at the desired point thereon. By moving it to the right and fixing it fast to the rod J the compression on the spring K is comparatively little when the rod J is drawn from the right Vto the left. By moving this sleeve L up against the spring K and compressing` said spring and there fixing the sleeve L upon the rod J the resistance of the spring K will be greatly increased, and the amount of the resistance which the said spring will make to any effort to draw the rod from right to left can thereby be accurately adjusted. At the other end of the sleeve Iis a similarly-coiled spring K, embracing the rod J, and atl the left end of the spring K is a similar sleeve L, located on the rod J and having a set-screw L. The functions of this set-sleeve L L are the same in relation to the spring K as those of the set-sleeve L L" adjacent to spring K are to the latter. The opposing springs K K and their setsleeves L L not only enable me to dispense with any means for fixing the sleeve I on the rod J, but also perform in relation to each other the function of abutments. They also perform other valuable and important functions, which will be hereinafter specified.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 5 the sleeve I is omitted and the extension l-l2 of the clapper is prolonged, as shown in'Fig. 5. Through this prolongation of the extension is an opening H3, through which latter passes the rod J. The opening H3 is larger in the direction of the length of the clapper-shank H H2 than the thickness or diameter of the rod J in order to allow the clapper-shank to oscillate as required. The inner ends of the springs K K will then rest against the upper end of the clapper. In order to save making the end of the clapper-shank very wide and yet provide for the proper abutment or support for the ends of the springs at the dapper-shank, I interpose a washer H4 between the said ends of the springs and the ysaid clapper-shank, one of these washers H4 being between the clapper-shank and spring K and the other of these washers being be tween the said shank and the spring K. The sleeve connection I I I2, hereinbefore described, is, however, the preferred device to be used in combination with the clapperand springs.

One end of the rod J is pivotally connected at J to the crank-wheel M, substantially as shown. This crank-Wheel IWI is fixed upon a shaft N and is concentric therewith. In the 'crank-arm h of the crank-wheel M is a radial slot M2, and through this slot passes the pivot whereby the end of the rod J is secured to the crank-arm M. The slot M2 enables the pivot J to be set nearer to or farther f from the center of the crank-wheel, and thereby the stroke of the rod J is lengthened or shortened, for a purpose to be hereinafter mentioned. The shaft M is duly supported upon hangers or brackets N N of any of the well-known forms, the hangers in the present instance being connected to the beams or rafters D D D or the plate, as N2, connected to said rafters.

' For economy of construction the crankwheel M is itself a grooved. pulley,and in the groove M3 of its periphery islocated the rope or cord P.

R is a brake-shoe arranged to ride upon the peripheral edgesof the pulley-wheel M. The inner portion of this brake-shoe is provided with a hollow recess R', as shown.-

This hollow recess enables the groove of the pulley to be made less deep than it would 'otherwise have to be, and-at the same time enables the brake-shoe at all times to keep out of contact with the ropeV P. The faces R2 of the brake-shoe respectively rest upon the peripheral adjacent edges of the pulley-wheel M. flange R3, and between these iianges R3 runs the pulley-wheel M. These ianges R3 assist in keeping the rope or cord P in place upon the pulley-wheel M when the brake-shoe R is lifted from the wheel. is properly supported by and pivoted to the supporting-piece S, having two parallel e'yes S S. Between these supporting-eyes passes the upward extension R4 of the brake-shoe, and a pivot S2, passing through said eyes and through openings in the extensions R4, pivotally connects the brake-shoe to the pivotal support S. The upper part of this pivotal support S is preferably bolted or otherwise secured to the supporting beam o r beams, as D D', or plate N2.

Connected to the upper portionof the brakeshoe is a brake-lever T. The free end of this brake -lever T is weighted, preferably, by means of the suspended weight T. To the free end of this brake-lever is connected one end of a cord T2, which latter passes over the grooved pulley T3 in the groove thereof. This pulley is duly supported, preferably, on a hanger, as T4, suitably secured to an overhead orother support. The lower end of this cord extends downto within reach of the person lwho is to operate the fire-alarm and is at its lower end provided with a suitable handle T5,

preferably of a ring or hook shape. To the wall or other suitable support is fixed a hook T6. When the brake-shoe lies upon the wheel M, the handle T5 is above the hook T6. `When the handle T5 is drawn to the hook T6,'the brake-shoe will be lifted off from the Wheel M.

'On the shaft M and preferably located between the hangers N N is a Windlass U, preferably provided with end flanges U U. Upon this windlass is wound the'rope or cord V, and the purpose of these flanges U U is to prevent the rope V from riding off from This brake-shoe R At each side of the brake-shoe R is a IIO ` the windlass. For the purpose of preventing the rope-V being of undue length and at the same time enable the windlass to make a lower-eye or connect-ion W4 of said pulley is connected to the weight X. The weight X is preferably as follows: This boX X is provided with a bail or hanger X2,passing through the eye \V4 of the lower pulley NV. This box` X is open at the top, and into this box is thrown gravel or stone, &c.

That part of the endless rope P which is at the left hand in Fig. lis pulled down, and the pulley-wheel M is thereby rotated up over from right to left, and the windlassUis like' wise rotated. The rotation of the latter causes the rope V to be wound upon the said windlass U and raises the weight toward the upper pulley W. Vhen the cord V has been sufficiently wound upon the windlass U, all further operation of the rope P is suspended. The mechanism is now ready to be putin inotion at any time.

NVhen it is desired to sound an alarm, the party grasps the cord T2 and draws it down. This operation elevates the `brake-rod T and lifts the brake-shoe R from the wheel M. The

weight X now acts through the intermediate agency of the rope V, windlass U, and the shaft N upon the crank-wheel M, causing the latter to rotate rapidly. As the crank-wheel M rotates its operation upon the clapper is as follows: As the rod J is rapidly moved by means of the crank-wheel from right to left the spring K is compressed and the springK allowed to expand in the effort of the rod J, throughthe agency of the spring K pressing against sleeve I, to overcome the inertia of the clapper I-I and communicate motion to the latter. The clapper will immediately move toward the side A of the bell, and its rapidity will increase as it moves toward the said side. Before the hammer H3 of the clapper has reached the side A of the bell the crank-wheel M has begun to move in the opposite direction--namely, from left to rightand it compresses the spring K. The impetus ofthe clapper carries it onward until itstrikes the side A. At the saine time while the head H2 of the clapper is moving through this last portion of its stroke toward the side A it is compressing the spring K', and this spring K thus cushions the clapper. Vhile it allows the head of the clapper to strike the bellA sharply and strongly, it has broken the force of its momentum to such an extent that it will rapidly and easily begin to move in the lrapidly toward the side A2 of the bell.

contrary direction. The crank M now draws the rod Jfrom right to left, thereby compressing the spring K and carrying the clapper The momentum of the clapper carries its head forcibly toward the side A2 of the bell,and it strikes said side A2,sharply and vigorously. The reciprocal operations of the rod, the spring, sleeve I, and clapper H3 are successively and continuously carried on until the rope V is unwound from the windlass or until the operator allows the cord T2 to rise. Prior to the cord V being entirely unwound if the operator allows the cord to lower the lever T of the brake-shoe the latter will bring the brake R in contact with the wheel M, thereby causing the rotation of the latter to quickly cease. In case the operator does not desire to hold down the rope T2 while the bell or gong is being rung he has only to hook the ring T5 upon the hook T6 and the operation of ringing the bell will continue until the rope V is entirelyunwound from the. windlass.

It will be observed that each of the springs K K operates to. cushion the stroke of the clapper in both directions and conjointly act.

with great eiciencyin cushioning the clapper, and nevertheless allow it to vigorously strike the opposite sides of the bell with the necessary force. By means of the cushionsprings K K all jar which would arise from the connection of the extension H2 of the clapper being iixed stationarily upon the rod J is obviated. If the springs K K were absent and thesleeve I lixed stationarily to the rod J, then when the clapper strucky the side of the bell the sudden stoppage of the clapper and the sleeve I and rod J, dac., would be so great as to break the sleeve I or other connection whereby the clapper-shank H H2 was connected to the rod J.

It will be further observed that the adjustment of the set-sleeves L I. nearer to or farther from the sleeve I will regulate the force of the blow which the clapper delivers IIO upon the bell A. The force of the blow which the clapper delivers upon the bell is also regulated within limits by means of the slot M2 in the crank M of the crank-wheel M. Vhile the pivot J is moved toward the outer end of the crank h the length of the stroke of the rod J will be increased, and the consequent force of the blow of the clapper upon the bell A will also be increased. As the pivot J is moved inwardly toward thecrank-shaft N-namely, the center-the length of the stroke of the rod J will be correspondingly decreased, and the force of the blow of the head H2 of the clapper upon the bell A will be decreased in like ratio.

My invention allows the bell to be tolled for a funeral or to indicate when a re. is out, or for other purposes. Vhen the operator desires to toll the bell, he grasps the winding rope P in one hand and with his other hand pulls down cord T2 and lifts the brake-shoe.

In order to get rid of holding down the cord T2, he Will hook it down on hook TG or otherwise secure it. He then pulls down on, say, the right-hand port-ion ot' said rope yP and makes the clapper strike the side A of the bell once.A I-Ie now pulls down the left-hand portion of the said rope P and causes the clapper to strike the other side of the bell.

' He continues to alternately pull down the right and left portions of the Winding rope P, and thereby continues to toll the bell.

VV'hile the various features of my invention are preferably employed together, one or more of the said features may be employed Without the remainder, and in so far as applicable one or more of said features may be einployed in connection With devices for ringing bells or gongs other than the one herein specifically set forth.

Vhat I claim as new and of .my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The bell and clapper-shank and pivot G, on which said shank is pivoted, the shank above the pivot extending above the bell and having a connection, and a reciprocating rod carrying elastic mediums reciprocated therewith and arranged, substantially as shown, to

impinge against the said connection at the upper end or portion of the shank, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The bell and clapper-shank and pivot G, on which said shank is pivoted, the shank above the pivot extending above the bell and having a connection, a reciprocating rod carrying elastic mediums reciprocated therewith and arranged, substantially as shown, to irnpinge against the said connection at the upper end or portion of the shank, and detents located on the reciprocating rod and carrying the elastic mediums with the reciprocating rod, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The bell and swinging clapper IPH H2, having sleeve I pivoted thereto, the reciprocating rod J, sliding in said sleeve, the abutments L L', fixed on said rod. J, and coiled springs K K', embracing rod J, the sleeve I being located between the said springs and abutments and each of the latter being on the outside end of its respective adjacent spring, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4'. The bell and swinging clapper HSH H2, having sleeve I pivoted thereto, the reciprocating rod J, sliding in said sleeve, the abutments L L', fixed on said rod and adjustable thereon, and coiled springs K K', embracing rod J, the. sleeve I- being located between the said springs and abutments and each of the latter being on the outside end of its respective adjacent spring, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. vThe bellswinging clapper, clappershank, reciprocating rod J, connections, substantially as set forth, between the clapper and rod for enabling the said rod to reciprocate the clapper-shank, crank M, pulley, brake-shoe R, endless pulley-cord P, Windlass U, Weighted brake-lever T, cord T2, device for enabling cord T2 to lift the latter, rope V,Wound on windlass, and Weight connected to rope V, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The bell swinging clapper, clappershank, reciprocating rod J, connections, substantially as specified, between the clapper and rod for enabling the said rod to reciprocate the clapper-shank, crank M, pulley, brake-shoe R, endless pulley-cord. P, Windlass U, Weighted brake-lever T, cord T2, device for enabling cord T2 to lift the latter, hook or loop T5 on cord T2, and stationary detent or hook T6, rope V, Wound on Windlass, and weight connected to rope V, substant iallyl as and for the purposes specified.

EZRA W. VANDUZEN.

Attest:

A. L. HERRLINGER, K. SMITH. 

